The club is open to all, but club events take place during the week and we meet at Chilson Senior Center in Loveland, CO. Our basic purpose is to fish, but we're easily distracted by the chance to work with youngsters or improve northern Colorado outdoor resources.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Shortly after our Perkins' pancakes digest Friday, stout-hearted Fishing Club ice anglers will be heading to the mountains, with maggots and toe warmers in tow.

We're thinking Dowdy or West Lake, possibly due to lack of imagination, but also because they should be solid and pretty accessible after this week's cold and snow. If you have a better idea, let's discuss. Call or e-mail Bill Prater

Friday, December 11, 2015

I just finished stuffing two nephews' new tackle boxes with a variety of baits to get them hooked on bass fishing, and thought it might be something you might find worth trying this spring, or worth sharing with a young angler buddy of your own.Merry Christmas. Bill P

Dear nephew,

You are at a perfect age to perfect the one skill most
important to your future happiness:
fishing! I didn’t realize it when
I was your age, but that short period between ages 10 and 13 is absolutely the
perfect time to be a boy: First of all,
though Mom and Dad may tell you different, no adult really expects
much from you yet in the way of time-wasting chores or other responsible behavior. You also likely haven’t discovered girls yet.
Trust your uncle; they will eventually really eat into your fishing time. But for now you have time to really obsess
over how to outwit a bass!

Monday, December 7, 2015

The wind's been howling at about 35 miles an hour up at Red Feather, with no sign of a slowdown, so Tuesday's ice fishing trip has been scrubbed. We'll reschedule as soon as weather permits. Hey, this ain't Florida. Bill

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Meet at the K-Mart parking lot at 8 a.m. Tuesday and carpool to Red Feather Lakes, where we'll fish Dowdy or West Lake. We're pretty sure the ice is thick (enough) and the early-season bite should be astounding.

Newbies to ice fishing: if you don't have the equipment or the know-how, no problem. Give me a call and one of us will loan you bait and tackle. Dress in layers; the only hassle with the Dowdy Lake area is an occasional frosty wind. You might want to invest in Yak Trax or other ice grippers; you should have a pair if you live around here anyway.

We should have decent ice; Fish Explorer reported a 5-inch cap on Dec. 2. To be sure, we'll have newest members test the footing, as a sort of good-hearted initiation.

Actually, fishing on frozen water is not nearly the dumbest thing club members do regularly. I've been following Dave Harem and crew onto the ice for a decade now, and haven't fallen in once. Just take your time and look around, don't approach rocks and stuff sticking out of the ice, and resist the temptation to bounce over to look down my ice hole after I catch the first cutbow. Bill

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Okay, club members, there are reports of the first ice fishing of the season taking place at Lake John, which means places like Dowdy and North Michigan may also be in play.

Before we schedule a trip for someone like me, we need someone of reasonable heft to go walk around on the ice and see if it's safe.

Or, what the heck, we can plan a first trek of the season! Any interest? If someone wants to give it a try, or knows whether or not the lids are thick enough on lakes in the high country, let's talk about it at breakfast.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

This a highlight of the Loveland Fishing Club social season, and for some reason even spouses relishes the trip to Severance

Drive on your own or (better) carpool fromr Orchard Shopping Center Southwest of King Sooper at 11:30 a.m.. Lunch at noon. We'll be invading with a crowd of anglers and spouses, so let Norm Engelbrecht know you're coming so we can give them advance warning. Specialty is all you can eat Rocky Mountain oysters, but they also have good burgers and fish and such for the more finicky among us.

To get there, take Harmony Road in Fort Collins east a few miles (becomes County Road 38E) to Severance. Pretty hard to miss it from there.

Friday, November 13, 2015

DENVER – As the snows start to blow, Colorado anglers know the opportunities for ice fishing are right around the corner. Come join Colorado Parks and Wildlife to learn the basics of this growing sport in Denver on Thursday, Dec. 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tony Dymek, assistant hunting & fishing outreach coordinator for the northeast region, will bring his 25 years of ice fishing experience to share with participants.

"Colorado anglers fishing licenses are good for an entire year, so why not get the most bang for your buck," said Dymek. "Nature gives ice to those of us without boats and often Colorado winter days are beautiful and mild. Don’t be afraid to try a new adventure with your family and friends this winter. "

New ice fishing enthusiasts will learn all of the ice fishing basics at this two-hour seminar, including ice safety, gear and places to go. A special bonus for this seminar will be two days to pick from for actual hands-on help ice fishing at Tarryall Reservoir State Wildlife Area later this season. Sign-up dates will be available at the seminar.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

A record crowd of 85-plus anglers, most over 85-plus, enjoyed balmy skies, a beautiful fishing hole and great cameraderie Tuesday.

Okay, the fishing wasn't the best, but no one seemed to mind, as Loveland Fishing Club members hosted guests from eight Loveland assisted living centers along with guests signing up through the event's co-sponsor Chilson Senior Center.

We hope to print up commemorative pictures of all assisted living center attendees.
Among the homes visiting Flatiron Reservoir were Courtyards, Good Samaritan, Lakeview Commons, Mirasol, Seven Lakes, Sugar Valley, Harvest Point and Wexford.Thanks to generous community neighbors, we were able to award some great prizes:

Stephanie Powell won the grand prize drawing, a $100 gift certificate from King Soopers.

For biggest fish caught by an assisted living center guest, (11 1/2 inches), Cecil Snyder earned a 90-minute massage from MYO-Arts of Fort Collins, and for smallest (10 1/2 inches) George Edwards got a $32 gift card for the movies at Metrolux 14.

Ruby Simpson, Chilson Center, earned $25 for her 11 3/4-inch rainbow.

Richard Stoner won a drawing prize of a $30 gift card from Canton Palace, whiule Norma Nemeth will be having her nails done at Today's Nails with a $36 gift certificate.

Thanks to all club members who helped made this another memorable event.

Guests relax and wait for lunch while club member John Grady, left, tends the campfire.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

On Wednesday, September
16, the Loveland Fishing Club will host its fifth annual Senior Fishing Derby for
older anglers. Residents of eight Loveland living centers will be hosted by the
club along with those seniors brought in by Chilson Senior Center. This Derby
welcomes all seniors over 65 and seniors under 65 who already have their fishing
license.

The event will be from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Flatiron Reservoir, the Larimer County Parks and Open Lands
reservoir west of Loveland on County Road 18E. About 100 guests are expected
for the day of fishing, followed by a cookout. The derby is co-sponsored
by the Chilson Senior Center, and Colorado Parks & Recreation is helping ensure
a great event with the stocking of catchable-size rainbow trout from the Watson
state hatchery at LaPorte.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

More than two dozen club members turned out for a day of sunshine and pretty fair bass fishing at Swift Ponds Tuesday. Club members spread across the Colorado Youth Outdoors many catch and release ponds armed with a wide variety of baits, with a wide variety of success. And everyone celebrated the day with a post-fishing hot dog.

This 17-inch largemouth was the day's largest, but several others came close. Dennis Kelsey's 18-incher was tops at a similar day at Swift Ponds in July.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Lou Colton, Jim Roode and Bill Prater plan to scare the smallmouth population at Horsetooth into submission at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 23. Short notice, but join us if you choose. With the current water levels, there should also be decent shoreline fishing.

Just meet at the Marina Bay boat ramp; no boat sticker is needed unless you use a motor but there is a $7 access fee. If you come later, we shouldn't be hard to find.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Threatening thunderstorms never materialized Saturday and northern Colorado kids and their parents turned out by the hundreds for a memorable day at the 2015 Loveland Police Fishing Derby.

More than 500 young anglers registered, and many caught fish. Winner of the top prize for biggest fish, a 15-inch rainbow trout, was 8-year-old Ariana Pendon of Denver. Sidney Bray, two months shy of two-years-old, might have won for youngest angler, but earned a rod and reel, tackle box and tackle for the smallest trout, a 9-incher.

More photos will be posted soon. Great job, everyone!

LFC derby coordinator Larry Seib, with 8-year-old Ariana Pendon.

Little Sidney Bray, winnrer of the prize for smallest trout, had to wait until after her nap to get the news aboout her win.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Let's be out at North Lake Park Duck Pond by 7 a.m. Saturday to get things ready for the kids. The derby will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. but you know the grizzled derby veterans will be out early to stake out the best spots.

The derby, sponsored by Loveland Police, is for kids under age 15. Larry Seib, former Loveland Police Chief, is the club's tournament chair this year. As always, no license is required for them or their parents, and it's free. The club will handle event registration, provide loaner tackle, run the free raffle and measure the fish.

Colorado Youth Outdoors will provide education and instruction on how to clean and cook fish, and fry up the kids' catch.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers will provide education and leadership in Colorado law and fishing ethics. A new demonstration area will be available for everyone to practice and learn new skills before hitting the pond.

The Loveland Kiwanis are at the event to provide family-priced food. All proceeds will be used in Kiwanis children's programs in our community.

Colorado Fraternal Order of Police Lodges 27 and 52 will provide FREE child identification cards. These are valuable cards to keep updated information on your child. Please register your child the day of the event before they begin fishing. Registration areas are located at the west parking lot Loveland High School and Shelter #2 on the west side of the duck pond. For more information, call 962-2229

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Thursday is final day before north boat ramp on horsepower opens for the season, and Dave Boyle will be there looking for fish. Feel free to join him. Been some good trout come out of there recently. 830 am or so.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

We're heading into the prime fishing season and the sun's shining. Prepare yourself by surrounding yourself with other keen-eyed anglers at Chilson Senior Center, at our April meeting. You might also want to find yourself a partner for Thursday's planned Boat Day, which will be part of the discussion.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

First of all, folks, my thanks to all who expressed their admiration for yesterday's Master Angler and a Half-size entry into the annual competition for Loveland Fishing Club's top angler. (see story below)

Second of all, I made it all up, even the part where I generously credited Merle Boden with recording the catch. If it makes you feel better, I really am intent on winning the 2015 contest with a big old bluegill. I did catch a very fat green sunfish yesterday at the little pond just south of the Loveland Recycle Center. Does that count? Bluegill Bill

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

While other club members were contemplating what to order at
next Friday’s breakfast, Immediate Past President Bill Prater was hauling in
this handsome 20-inch bluegill from River’s Edge this morning.

Photo by Merle Boden.

It is easily twice the qualifying length for a Colorado
Master Angler award. Bill, in line with his vegan, catch and release nature, released the fine specimen unharmed.
But a tearful Tom Miller, forced to eat canned tuna for a lakeside lunch, can confirm the catch.

Meanwhile, the contest for Angler of the Year continues through Dec. 31, with the prospect of bigger fish to come. Submit nominations to Jim Roode. Bragging rights will go to the LFC angler who records the biggest single fish caught in Colorado waters in 2015, based on Master Angler criteria. Click here for details.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Mark your calendars and check your tires. We're getting together at Lon Hagler at 8:30 a.m. April 9 for an early season boating/fishing/picnicking/cleanup day.
Come whether you have a boat or just want to fish, hitch ride a ride or chow down on a free hot dog and chips. Here's something else that's new: Coast Guard auxiliary will offer a free, volunteer boat inspection so all is ready for the 2015 season.

We'll also hold the club's annual cleanup around the boat launch area after lunch. Stick around and help if you can.

Lon Hagler is a no-wake lake, so we can't open wide the throttle. But we can get the kinks out after a long, cold winter. We'll be scheduling regular Boat Days again this year (the next is April 23, details to come), matching up boat owners with fishing buddies, but this one is just to do a little fishing, socialize, and make sure everything works.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Okay, supposed to be warmer Thursday. We're meeting at 8:30 a.m. at K-Mart parking lot, and from there heading into the mountains in search of solid water.

About half a dozen of the Loveland Fishing Club's Finest will gather there and decide exactly where to go - probably West Lake or Dowdy. If you want to join us, come a little early so we can work out carpool plans. If you hear whether the lakes are accessible up Cameron Pass, let me know. Bill

Okay, there is still ice on most places where we might give our boats a trial float, but Spring is on the horizon. The question is, will you remember to put in your drain plug? Did you last change spark plugs in 2004? And will Dan Barker's new boat actually float?

Let's answer those questions, and help one another prepare for spring fishing, by getting together at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, April 9 at Lon Hagler Reservoir. Come whether you have a boat or just want a ride or a free hot dog and chips. We'll launch, ride around awhile, fish as long as it makes sense, and have lunch when it doesn't.

Lon Hagler is a no-wake lake, so we can't open wide the throttle. But we can get the kinks out after a long, cold winter. We'll be scheduling regular Boat Days again this year, matching up boat owners with fishing buddies, but this is just to make sure everything works.

Last April a group of us got ready to launch at Boedecker, and I learned to my chagrin that some electrical thingy in my 50 hp Mercury had died over the winter. The trim wouldn't work, and I couldn't raise or lower the danged thing. Ray Park called a buddy who works on motors, who came out and saved my bacon while everyone else went fishing.

They didn't catch anything, but hey, that's early spring fishing in Colorado. If I'd been by myself, I might still be there., wishing I'd had some buddies along to help.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Tired of sitting around waiting for a warmup? Ignore the fact that it's 15 degrees outside and let's go fishing someplace.

We should probably wait until Thursday, when there's supposed to be a brief warmup. Just don't listen to Dan when he talks about launching that new boat of his - open water is still about a 100 yards east of the boat ramp at Boyd, and things aren't much better anywhere else around here.

How about an ice fishing trip to one of the Red Feathers lakes? Or if no one's game, let's try for open water at the Marine inlet at Horsetooth.

Let me know if you're interested - click here to send Bill an e-mail. Unless someone has a better plan, let's leave from the K-Mart parking lot at 8:30 Thursday. Be there or just mope around until spring.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Boating is expected to officially resume on Boyd Lake Sunday, March 1, conditions permitting. Right now those conditions seem to point to a later start.

Aquatic nuisance inspectors are scheduled to be on duty beginning at 8 a.m. to check boats for zebra mussels prior to launch.Other state wildlife areas such as Lone Tree and Lon Hagler remained open through the winter, with boaters expected to ensure their craft is clean, drained and dry before and after use. At Larimer County's Horsetooth and Carter Lake, boat ramps are expected to reopen the last week in March. Let's all hope for a quick warmup. Meanwhile, who's ready for an ice fishing outing? We can talk about it at breakfast Friday.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Larimer County and the City of Loveland will be taking public input on the processes that will be used for the new Big Thompson Canyon Conservation and Recreation Plan.The meeting will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Thompson School District administrative offices, 800 S. Taft Ave.Walt Graul and Jim Roode will be there representing the club, but they could use some allies interested in restoring fishing and public access to the canyon."This is the first meeting whereby Larimer County will take public input and discuss their process for developing the new plan," says Walt. "It is critical that they receive input from the public stressing interest in fishing access and other wildlife interests. Ultimately this plan can impact what areas are maintained and/or acquired for such access - including parking areas, etc. This is our chance to have a positive impact upon what happens in the canyon."

The extreme flooding in September 2013 caused extensive property damage and loss of significant economic, riparian, aquatic, and scenic resources. Nearly all of the highly popular public recreation facilities in the region from Estes Park downstream were obliterated, including parks, picnic areas, fishing access, and trailheads. This meeting may be a first step in setting priorities for the rebuilding.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

The prospect of snow, cold and wind is leading us to delay the planned North Michigan Lake trip to Thursday.

We'll meet as planned, 8:30 a.m. at the southeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot off Eisenhower, and carpool. It's about a 2-hour drive, up highway 14 past Fort Collins. For more information, contact Bill

Monday, January 26, 2015

Things are looking promising for Tuesday's trip to Satanka Cove. Forecast up around 70 degrees.I've had several folks ask what to use; no guarantees this time of year, but the good thing about trout is, they're one fish that remains reasonably obliging in cold water. Most of us will likely go with Power Bait fished on light line Texas rig. Not sure how snaggy it is around the boat ramp. I'll probably give drop shotting a try also, probably with a small Berkeley minnow imitation. I've had a little luck with smallies on a feather jig down at the Marina Inlet in cold water, but never this early in the season. Let's see if we can catch a few. Remember, 8:30 a.m. at K-Mart to carpool. There's a $7 day use fee at Horsetooth.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Okay, our original plan to ice fish the ponds at St. Vrain State Park are falling victim to warm winds and temperatures in the '60s. Talked to park staff Monday and she reports the ponds are likely to be off limits starting Wednesday. Ice is still about 5 inches, but receding from the bank, which makes old Ozark boys like me nervous.

So: let's do Dowdy Lake (about 50 miles northwest of Fort Collins, 287 to Red Feathers Lake Road, about 20 miles west to the little town of Red Feathers). Meet in the K-Mart parking lot at 8:30 a.m. to carpool, or drive up and park on the lake's northwest edge by the bathrooms.

Bring your ice cleats; I suspect the snow's all melted and the lake's going to be slippery. Any of the usual trout baits should work fine.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Dottie Bechtel, who'll be relocating to Indiana, holds up a surprise farewell shirt inscribed with the names of Loveland Fishing Club friends. The shirt was the creation of Mike Scheber. The club also enjoyed a cake in her honor, from Ray Park. Photo by George Kral

The Old Plogger Award, presented annually by the outgoing club president, goes to Karol Stroscheim for her outstanding support of club activities in 2014. Former club secretary, Karol helped organize several club events for kids, played a strong role in the Senior Derby and with husband Arnie hosted a highly lauded picnic at her home near Flatiron Reservoir.

Tom Garland, below right, receives his Angler of the Year plaque from tournament leader Jim Roode at Friday's annual Loveland Fishing Club dinner. His winning largement, taken from River's Edge, measured in at 19 1/2 inches. Mike Scheber was second with another largemouth, 18 1/2 inches, and Dave Boyd came in third with a 17 1/2 inch smallmouth.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Lame Duck Club President and Web Editor Bill Prater hauled a 20-inch rainbow from an unidentified ed North Park lake on Jan. 8 to move into a solid first place position in the second year of the Loveland Fishing Club's annual Angler of the Year contest.

The big trout easily eclipsed a 17 1/2-incher taken by Dave Harem the previous day at Lake John. Unfortunately for Bill, we have about 50 weeks remaining in the 2015 tourney, so everyone who's paid their 2015 dues have a shot at top prize. (If you catch a big fish and THEN want to pay your dues, we may throw you in the lake.)

If you want to know who won the2014prize, you'll have to show up for the annual dinner, 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Chilson Center. The contest is based on percentage of the Colorado Master Angler criteria for all listed species. Bill's rainbow came in at about 83.3 percent of the length needed for Master Angler consideration, but he ate it anyway.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Got back from fishing the high country to find this posting on Channel 7 News website. Should we put on our warmest gear and head to Antero before they drain the place?

PARK COUNTY, Colo. - Antero Reservoir will be drained this summer to finish work on the century-old dam.

Because of the draining plans, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will raise the fishing limit to eight trout, with no size restrictions, starting Saturday. Water levels won't be completely restored until 2018. When the reservoir level recedes, CPW staff will conduct a salvage operation below Antero Reservoir, as fish migrate out of Antero Reservoir.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Okay, great day at Douglas Reservoir - sunshine, reasonably balmy temperatures, solid ice and good companionship as about a dozen of the club's stalwarts stomped onto the ice on the second day of the New Year.

Still, it would have been nice to have brought in a fish or two, just to familiarize ourselves with the species. We'll get 'em next time.